Friday night, August 9th, 2024. The Dodgers in a moving pre-game ceremony inducted another player into the Legends of Dodger Baseball. His name, Johnnie B. “Dusty” Baker. Baker was born in Riverside California on June 15th, 1949. His father, Johnnie B. Sr, was a defense industry worker. His mother, Christine, was a professor. Baker’s dad would work for Sears as a salesman in the evenings. “Dad worked two jobs so the family could have what it needed” he said.
Since both parents had jobs, as the oldest of five Baker children, he would often be called upon to manage his unruly siblings. When things went south, it was Johnnie B who was punished by his father. As for his education, his mom was the guiding parent. She decided which courses he would take in school.
His nickname, Dusty, was picked up early in his life. His mother would tag him with the name. His family had a big backyard which his father planted with a lot of grass. But there was one spot in the middle that was dirt, and that was where he liked to play. His mom did not want to name him Dirty, so she called him Dusty instead.
Along with his academic courses, his mother insisted that he learn how to play the piano. ” I wanted to be Jerry Lee Lewis, or Little Richard, she wanted me to be Liberace. Did I have a choice? That wasn’t a word in our house.” “She told me I was going to have culture whether I wanted it or not. Love is discipline, I had plenty of both.”
Dusty had expressed an interest in baseball early in life. His dad felt that if you were going to do something, you should completely finish it. When he said he wanted to play, his dad hit him hundreds of baseballs, by the time he was 12, he was a very good player. He wanted to hang up his glove a couple of times, but his dad would not let him.
When Baker was 14, his father lost his job, and the family moved to Sacramento. He enrolled at Del Campo high school where he and his brother were the only Black students. He excelled in several sports and was chosen all-city in baseball, and all-county in basketball, track and football during his time there. Basketball was his best sport. Baker and his friends would play as often as possible, although the “pickup games in his driveway would always cease when his father came home from work at 4 PM.
Later when he was asked about playing baseball in high school, he said,” I was good in baseball, but I wasn’t great in baseball. I played with the school team in spring and in the summer, I played with the American Legion, Little League, or Pony League. I came all the way up, I was skilled, but I was not strong.
During his senior year, his parents divorced. His father wanted him to go to college, but Dusty had other plans. When the Braves drafted him in the 26th round of the 1967 amateur draft, Baker had already received a basketball scholarship to UC Santa Clara. Against his father’s wishes, he and his mother signed a contract with the Braves. 
The Braves sent him to the AA Austin Braves of the Texas League. He played in 9 games and hit.231. The following year, he bounced around the Braves system, playing Class-A ball at Greenwood and West Palm Beach as well as playing in the Arizona Fall League. He made his MLB debut on September 7th, 1968, pinch hitting for Phil Niekro, he came up empty but managed to get 2 hits in 5 appearances by the end of the season.
In 1968, the Braves asked Baker to enlist in the US Marine Corps Reserve. He wasn’t crazy about the idea, but later said it was one of the best things that ever happened in his life. He said it helped him a lot. He came home more disciplined. He served as an auto-mechanic until his honorable discharge as a lance-corporal in 1974.
He continued to move up through the Braves system in 1969. In between his time in the reserves, he played at AA Shreveport and AAA Richmond. He hit .285 with 11 homers and 61 driven in. He also appeared in 3 games with the Braves at the end of the season.
Atlanta was so confident in his abilities that he spent most of the 70 and 71 seasons at AAA Richmond. He hit over .300 both years, .325,.311 and was called up in September of 71 and he played in 20 games. He finally made the Braves roster for good in 1972 and was named the teams center fielder.
Baker provided punch to the Braves team hitting .321, second to Ralph Garr. He was even in contention for the NL batting title that year. After that first full season, Dusty cemented his role as the Braves centerfielder for the next three seasons. His average was .269 and he slugged 60 homers over that stretch. Playing alongside Henry Aaron, the press began to tout him as the “next Hank Aaron.” Braves manager, Eddie Mathews said that maybe Dusty did not have the power Aaron had, be he had everything else, he is a tremendous athlete. 
Despite all the praise, on November 17th, 1975, Baker was traded to the Dodgers along with Ed Goodson for Jimmy Wynn, Jerry Royster, Tom Paciorek, and Lee Lacy. Dusty had requested a trade after the 75 season and the Braves obliged him. He went home to California where he would become the CF for the Dodgers. ” He can run, throw, field, and hit for power. And it is our feeling that he hasn’t yet reached his peak.” Al Campanis.
Well, the 1976 season did not turn out the way Baker or the Dodgers had hoped. Dusty ended up playing in only 112 games for the Dodgers. He injured his knee towards the end of the year. It would require surgery for stretched ligaments. His first year as a Dodger he hit .242 with just 4 homers and 32 RBI’s.
Baker moved to left field the following year, and he raised his BA, 50 points. He also clubbed 30 homers and drove in 86. He was part of the first quartet of teammates to hit 30 or more homers. Garvey,33, Reggie Smith, 32, Ron Cey, 30 and Dusty, 30. And Baker hit his 30th on the last day of the season off of JR Richard of the Astros. As he rounded the bases and crossed home plate, teammate, Glenn Burke and he did the first ” high five” in baseball.
Dusty was named the MVP of the NLCS against the Phillies. He hit .357 with 2 homers and 8 driven in. One of the homers was a grand slam in the 4th inning of game 2 off of Jim Lonborg. It helped the Dodgers even the series at a game apiece. His second came in game 4, the second inning off of Steve Carlton. It was a 2-run shot and gave the Dodgers the lead, and they won the game to win the series.
He did well in the 77 series against the Yankees. He hit .297 with a homer and 5 driven in during the 6-game series loss to the Yankees. His production dipped quite a bit in 1978, he hit .262 and only had 11 homers. The Dodgers though won the division again and advanced to the LCS. Once again, they met the Phillies, and once again, they won the series in four games. Dusty hit .467 but only drove in 1 run and had no homers. This time he hit only .238 in the six-game series loss to the Yankees, but he did hit a homer.
The Dodgers fell to third place in 1979. They had a losing record for the first time in several years. Dusty rebounded to a .274/23/88 campaign. In 1980, Baker improved even more. He hit .294/29/97. His 29 homers led the team, and his 97 RBIs were second only to Garvey. The Dodgers had to win their last 3 games of the season at home against the first place Astros. They did that in dramatic fashion as all three games were decided by 1 run. The first was a walk off 3-2 win in 10 innings. Valenzuela won in relief. Ruess then shut down the Stros 2-1, beating Nolan Ryan. The final game was a 4-3 win. Steve Howe got the win as four Dodger relievers bailed out Burt Hooton who lasted just 1 inning and allowed 2 runs. Castillo went 4 allowing 1 run. Valenzuela, Howe and Don Sutton, shut down Houston the rest of the way.
LA was down 3-0 but came back to score 4 with Ron Cey’s 2-run homer in the bottom of the 8th being the deciding runs. Sutton relieved Howe with 2 out and a man on for the save. Dusty was 1-4. The next day, Dave Goltz started game 163 for the Dodgers but he gave up 4 runs and was gone by the third inning as the Dodgers lost, 7-1. I was in the hospital that day, having a stomach stapling surgery to help me lose weight. My girlfriend told me the score while I was in the ICU. 1980 was Dusty’s walk year. He earned his first Silver Slugger award, and after the season, he signed a five-year-deal with the Dodgers. 
Baker would hit .320 in the strike shortened 1981 season. He would also earn his first gold glove, his second silver slugger, and would make his first All-Star game. He got 2 at bats in the game as a replacement for George Foster. He managed to get a hit. The Dodgers returned to the post-season. Dusty hit .167 in the LDS with Houston. He had just 1 RBI. He hit .316 against Montreal in the LCS, no homers and 3 driven in. He hit only .167 in the World Series against the Yankees. He drove in only 1 but scored 3 times. He and the Dodgers were World Champs.
Dusty had a good 1982 season. He hit .300/23/88. The Dodgers would finish second, 1 game back of the Braves. Dusty made the All-Star team again. He went hitless in two at bats. 1981 had been the last season that “The Infield” would be together. Lopes was traded to the A’s after the 81 season and Sax took over at second. After the 82 season, Garvey left as a free agent and signed with the Padres. Ron Cey was traded to the Cubs.
In 1983, Dusty’s performance fell off as he went .260/15/73. He did hit .357 with a homer in the losing effort against the Phillies in the LCS. When the Dodgers attempted to trade him, he resisted, and the Dodgers put him on waivers. He signed with the Giants on April 1st, 1984, but only after signing his waiver release. There had been some rumors that he was using PED’s, and Dusty felt the only way to clear his name was to sign his release. He also knew he needed to perform on the field. He said,” I am afraid to do something illegal, I have a nice life, I have a nice family.” 
Dusty would play one season with the Giants in a part time role, moving between left and right fields. He hit .292/3/32. He was now 35 years old. After the season, the Giants traded him across the bay to the Oakland A’s for two minor leaguers. Dusty was happy for the chance to play for the A’s. They used him at first base and the outfield. Steve Garvey sent Dusty a first baseman’s glove and Baker worked hard to learn the position. He hit .268/14/52 for the A’s, but they finished 4th in the West. Dusty did not know it at the time, but the 85 season would be his last full season as a player in the majors. In 86, he was in 83 games and hit .240/4/19. 
After the season, the A’s wanted to send Dusty to their AAA team, but he decided to retire. He left baseball with a career average of .278. He slugged 242 homers and drove in 1013 runs. He also stole 137 bags. After retiring, Baker went to work as a stockbroker in Los Angeles. In the fall of 1987, Al Rosen, the GM of the Giants signed Baker as the first base coach, he also urged Baker to get some managerial experience in the winter fall league. Baker thought minor league experience was over-rated. He felt he managed in his mind while he was playing and was enough of a student of the game to not need that experience.
After spending 1 year as the first base coach, he spent the next four, 89-92, as the Giants hitting coach under Roger Craig. He took over for Craig in 1993. He took his Giants to a 103-59 record, 1 game behind the Braves and 31 games better than their finish in 92. That earned him NL Manager of the year honors. 
Dusty would manage the Giants until 2002. His team won division titles in 1997 and 2000. He also earned Manager of the Year awards those two seasons. His 2002 team made it to the playoffs as a wild card team and ended up winning the pennant. They then faced the Angels in an epic 7 game series only to lose game 7. In his 10 years as manager of the Giants they went 840-715. The Giants decided not to offer him a contract after the season.
Baker was not unemployed long. The Cubs hired him to manage days after he was cut loose by the Giants. Dusty said he hoped to help the Cubs improve. They had not had back-to-back winning seasons since 72-73. Many of the Cubs writers told Baker they felt sorry for him. Like managing the Cubs was a death wish.
Dusty made an immediate impact on the Cubs. They rode the bats of Sammy Sosa and Moises Alou to their first division title in 14 years. The made it all the way to the LCS but lost to the Marlins in what became known as the Bartman series. The Cubs were up 3-0 with 5 outs to go to make it to their first World Series in 60 years.
In 2004, they were in a tight wild card race with the Astros. They fell just short. The Cubs then had 2 straight years where they finished under .500. In 2005, they were curtailed by injuries to key players. In 2006, they finished with the worst record in the NL at 66-96. He was 4 games under .500 as manager of the Cubs. They did not re-new his contract.
PFU ScanSnap Manager #S1500
In October of 2007, he was hired to manage the Reds. In his first two seasons, the Reds struggled and finished with losing records. Then in 2010, they surprised everyone and won the NL Central. It was their first playoff appearance in 14 years. They lost to the Phillies in the LDS, but the Reds gave Baker a two-year extension.
They struggled in 2011, but in 2012, Baker led them to a 97-65 record. Towards the end of the season, Dusty was hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat. The Reds clinched the division title while he was absent. But once again, the Reds could not get past the Giants in the LDS. Baker was given another two-year extension.
In 2013, the Reds finished with a 90-72 record. But they lost to the Pirates in the wild card game. The sixth straight time they had lost at the end of the season. Dusty was fired. He said it was probably about time. He was being jeered and receiving hate mail. His record with the Reds was 509-463.
On November 3rd, 2015, Baker was hired by the Washington Nationals to be their manager. When he was hired, he was #2 in total wins of all active managers. “We wanted a manager who would help us complete our goal of competing for a World Series Championship.” owner Ted Lerner said. 
The Nationals won the NL East in Bakers first season at the helm. But they lost the NLDS to the Dodgers in 5 games. Then they won the NL East a second time in 2017. This time they lost the NLDS to the Cubs. Despite two straight division titles and a 97-65 record in 2017, in October, the Nats announced that Baker would not return. “Winning a lot of regular season games and division titles is not enough.” GM Mike Rizzo said that.
Dusty returned to the Giants as a special advisor to the Giants CEO, Lawrence Baer. This was 2018. He would be helping on the field and with the business end of the team’s operations. “We are glad to have Dusty back in the Giants organization. He is one of the Giants beloved alumni and he brings years of expertise to the organization.” This was said by Baer at the time of the hire.
But it did not take long for another team to come calling and lure Baker back into the dugout. This time, it was the Houston Astros. In January of 2020, Baker was named the new manager of the Astros. He signed a one-year deal with a second-year option. It would be the first time he managed in the American League.
Of course, 2020 was a season like no other had ever been. The Covid pandemic shortened the season to 60 games, and despite finishing under .500, 29-31, the Astros clinched a playoff spot as the sixth seed. Baker became the first manager to lead five different teams to the playoffs.
Many wondered if his option would be picked up, the Stros lost in the ALCS to the Rays in 7 games. They lost the first three, then won three and lost the deciding game, 4-2. All of the games were in San Diego at Petco Park. But Houston picked up his option mid-way through the 2020 season.
In 2021, Baker led the Astros to the postseason again. He became the first manager to win a division title with five different teams. But they lost the World Series to Freddie Freeman and the Braves in six games. Baker was chosen Manager of the Year for the fourth time in his career. The year ended with Dusty just 13 wins shy of 2000.
The Astros gave him another 1-year deal. On May 3rd, 2022, the Astros defeated the Mariners and Baker had his 2000th win. He was just the 12th manager to do so, and the first Black manager to achieve the feat. He thought about how Jackie Robinson and Frank Robinson had helped him so much at the beginning of his career, he also thought about his detractors who felt he needed experience, and he had never managed in the minors.
Baker led the Astros to another division championship. They swept both of their playoff series and advanced to the World Series against the Phillies. They lost 2 of the first 3 games, and then won three in a row to win the Championship. Baker became the oldest manager to win the Series.
Baker signed on for another year and led the Stros to another division title, although it was a really tight race with the Rangers. They won the LDS but then lost to the Rangers in the LCS. After the season, Baker decided to retire. Dusty finished his career as a manager with a 2183-1862 record. He won 3 pennants and 1 World Series.
New Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker.
Minor League Scoreboard
Rancho beat Lake Elsinore, 9-2. Neither team scored until the bottom of the 7th when Rancho scored 6 runs. Hainline walked and Rodrigues singled him to third. Guererro struck out and Hope was hit by a pitch loading the bases. Quintero walked forcing in a run. Munoz then hit a ground ball that the first baseman mishandled for an error and two runs scored. Decker walked loading the bases again. Meza grounded out and another run scored. Osorio then singled in the 6th run. The Storm scored 2 in the top of the 8th. Rancho came back and scored 3 in the bottom of the 8th. With 2 outs, Hope hit his 8th homer, then Quintero doubled. Munoz singled and Quintero scored. Decker doubled driving in Munoz with the final run. Hope was 3-3 and stole his 6th base. He raised his average to .293. Rodrigues was the only other Quake with multiple hits. Jang went 4 hitless innings allowing only 2 walks and striking out 3. Santana pitched 2.2 scoreless innings. Figueredo went 1 inning and allowed both runs. Cabrera and Yean finished up.
Great Lakes dropped a 5-4 decision to Wisconsin. Wisconsin took a 3-0 lead in the top of the 2nd inning. The Loons scored 2 in the bottom of the 3rd. Galiz doubled, Biddison was hit by a pitch, then Vogle was hit also, loading the bases. Campbell hit into a double-play and Galiz scored. De Paula walked, then Nevin singled scoring Biddison. In the bottom of the 5th, with 1 out, Campbell walked and then De Paula hit his 4th homer. The score stayed 4-3 until the top of the 9th when Wisconsin scored 2. The Loons had runners on second and third with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th when Nevin struck out to end the game. Heubeck went 1.1 innings and gave up 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks. Ramirez pitched the 9th and got the loss.
Tulsa was shut out 7-0 on just 3 hits. Rosario took the loss.
OKC won a squeaker, 2-1 over El Paso. The Chihuahua’s managed only 3 hits while OKC had five. Avans had 2 of the 5 hits and drove home the winning run. In the bottom of the third, after a single and a couple of walks, Lipcius drove home Gauthier with a sac-fly. El Paso tied the game in the top of the 5th on a homer by Eddie Rosario, who was recently signed to a minor league deal by the Padres after the Braves released him. The game stayed tied until the bottom of the 9th.With 1 out, Trejo singled, he went to second on a balk. Gauthier walked and Avans singled in Trejo with the winning run. Knack went 5 innings giving up 2 hits and a run, he walked 3 and struck out 5. Honeywell went 2 scoreless. Hahn pitched a scoreless inning and Dryer pitched the 9th and got the win.
Heyward being DFAed is not surprising . But that he was DFAed for Taylor is.
With Kike and CT3 we have the exact player twice on the roster. Can play multiple positions, both RH and do not hit a lick while striking out a lot. Yes, Taylor has been better lately but his average still is around .150 for the season.
I would rather have Pages and only one of CT3 or Kike.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No lefty bat on the bench. Taylor does hit RHP better than he does LHP, .253-.242. He also has more homers off of righties. 68-39, so maybe they feel they don’t need a leftie bat off of the bench. His career numbers as a PH are not bad, .279 in 104 AB’s. 4 homers and 18 driven in. But Heyward has 2 homers this season alone as a PH and has driven in 8. Kike hits only .226 against RHP. His homers are about even though, 58-57. But as a pinch hitter, he sucks. .189. Heyward hit .266 off of RHP with 147 bombs. He has hit .271 as a pinch hitter.
When do they have to call up Pages to qualify for the playoff roster?
He doesn’t have to be on the major league roster. he just has to be in the organization by September 1.
Ok Thanks.
A player has to be on the 40-man roster by 11:59 PM on August 31st. Just being in the organization does not count. Any player on the 40-man is eligible for the playoffs if they are on the roster by the time I mentioned. And that is 11:59 EST. In other words, he would need to be on the roster by 8:59 PM PST. Also, any player on the 60-day or restricted list is also available. As an example, Cartaya would be available to play in the post season. Rushing, unless he were added in the next week, no. Outman and Pages both eligible. Barnes has to be back on the roster after his 15-day stint. But he has been with the team all year. Yamamoto and Brogdon are the only pitchers on the 60-day who really have a chance to pitch in the playoffs. Glasnow will be back probably before the 1st. Teams carry extra players during the playoffs in case of injury.
If I understand the rules correctly there is one huge loophole, Bear: You can replace an injured player after Sept. 1st with a player who was not on the 40 men roster by then.
For example: Rushing could replace an injured player after Setp. 1st even if he was not on the 40 men roster by Sept. 1st.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am waiting for the Feduccia Era to begin….
Well played
Might be a long wait.
I think this is correct. It’s quite the loophole
Read the whole rule. It is not that big of a loophole and in order to do it, you have to have permission from the commissioner’s office.
Injured players can be replaced by players who are in the organization. But if a player is injured during the playoffs, he can be replaced, but he cannot play the rest of the round in which he is injured. Rosters can be adjusted after every round. In order for a player who was in the organization to be added to the roster after Sept 1, the team must petition the commissioner’s office and if that player is replacing someone who has served the requisite time on the injured list, IE, been on the 10 day for 10 days or more, same with the 15 and 60. Players acquired in September are ineligible. If you want to read the rule, got to MLB.com, and check Postseason Roster Rules and Eligibility. It is all right there.
Dusty Baker should have been a manager of the Dodgers. I’d have taken him over every guy between Lasorda and Roberts. For that matter, I’d have prefered him to Roberts–but I think Roberts is the best of the post-Lasorda managers.
Torre was OK, but my regard for him dimmed when his hand-picked successor, Mattingly, proved to be so poor. He was instrumental in Mattingly taking charge. I think there was a stretch of more than 30 games under Mattingly in which not a single Dodger attempted to steal a base.) To me Mattingly was the worst, and most of the others were ciphers.
I know a few baseball writers–and they all sing Baker’s praises.
Grady Little and Jim Tracy just might give Mattingly a run for the money as the worst post Lasorda manager.
Davey Johnson was only so-so, Torres had a certain baseball “royalty” and presence about him, and Doc is certainly the best.
Davey Johnson was the worst for me along with Kevin Malone as the GM. Supposed to be a new sheriff in town, ended up being Barney Fife.
Roberts said that honestly”Buehler is pitching because we don’t have an alternative right now” it has been the same with miller. When I said that earlier they brought miller up because they didn’t have anyone else I got trashed. But now Roberts is quoted admitting it. They are actually in better shape now because back then we didn’t have Kershaw, Wrobleski? , and Knack was in the rotation. I hope Miller gets back to form but he did not get here on performance.
Can Friedman ever admit a mistake CT was a huge one. Agree with Ram 100%
Hasn’t so far.
“Can Friedman ever admit a mistake”
I agree with you that Taylor’s contract is and was a mistake, but I think he built a good team in the offseason, although I wanted him to get another outfielder and not sign Heyward and not sign Kelly. But I didn’t expect Heyward to regress as much as he did, so I thought there would be an above average platoon eventually with Heyward and Pages in RF. I didn’t expect Doc to platoon Outman right off the bat with none other than Kike and I was right about Kike when me and Mark went back and forth about Kike. So I thought Kike and Taylor wouldn’t be a factor until Heyward and Outman regressed big time. Then AF had to go shopping at the trade deadline and the prices for good players at the trade deadline ARE ALWAYS WAY TOO HIGH. I capitalized that because I hear a lot of people say something like, no big deal, AF can just get good players at the deadline. It doesn’t work that way. It’s why you build the best team possible in the offseason.
Sorry about the rambling, and I agree Taylor’s contract is and was a mistake, but it happens sometimes. The thing is, if Outman and Heyward didn’t regress as much as they did and did anyone predict that, I know I didn’t, Taylor wouldn’t be a factor in the equasion.
AF is overrated. He is very good, but, not the baseball boy wonder savant some people believe he is.
I would say any number of baseball execs could do as well or better with the resources he has.
The last two outings by Miller, he lost and gave up 4 HRs. He is another arm I think should be put aside till next season. He’s looked bad with an 8.02 ERA. We need to win games, not audition those who should be in the minors working on their stuff.
Jeff,
you just made my point. For all the money they spent they don’t have anybody they can bring up. So we just watch and hope Miller or Buehler will get better. Neither of those guys have any command. They throw it and who knows where it lands. Miller looked like an ace in the making last year so mb he will turn it around tonight. He certainly is not on the roster because of performance.
Do we still need Buehler and or Miller, especially seeing they are not ready yet to be pitching in the bigs?
Flahtery
kershaw
stone
wrobleski
knack
No , but they are just buying time for Yamamoto n Glasnow to get back.
Don’t show Astros’ colors on here. Curb-stomp they ass.
You write the story’s then you can pick the photos. Dusty was not a part of that team. He was hired to do a job.
Ok, Mr. Writer
I am betting you do not like to be told what to do or how to do it either. When I reply to a post, it shows this profile. But I am Michael Norris, so yeah, I wrote it and I posted the pictures.
Johnnie B spent more time with the giants than he did with the Dodgers. Then he went to the astros. Yeah, maybe he should had oughta managed the Dodgers. But he didn’t.
I don’t expect much out Buehler or Miller. It’s Glasnow, Yamamoto, Flaherty, Kershaw, Stone or bust.
We knew tough decisions were to be made. Kiké, Taylor, Kiermaier, Feduccia/Barnes. That’s the bench. You could add Rojas to that as it appears he will share shortstop duties. Is that a championship bench? Sure. Why not? Besides, the championship will be win or lost with the starting lineup and pitching.
Baker could make the Hall as a manager. His stature among the voting press is very high. The fact that he took over the Trashtros after the cheating scandal is a feather in his cap.
Roberts needs a few rings to make the HOF. The team certainly has the talent…
.
When we ponder the choices for the post-season roster, allow me to give a dead horse another kick: AF did a TERRIBLE job with the postseason roster just two seasons ago, building a bench that included the woefully not-close-to-ready Miguel Vargas and the unproductive Joey Gallo.
Vargas was supposed to be the system’s best bat-to-ball guy–but he didn’t hit and he didn’t really have a position either.. The change-of-scenery deal for Gallo briefly seemed like a winner, but in the end… meh. (I can’t blame AF for Belli’s collapse. Letting him walk was the right decision.)
We don’t know who will be on the bench this year, but it won’t include an unproven rookie. Pages has shown his worth, especially against lefthanded pitching: a .337 BA, a .404 OBP and .894 OBP. The others will be veterans who can contribute with their bats and their gloves. Rightly or wrongly, Heyward didn’t make the cut.
If Miller stumbles again, time to shut him down and bring up Knack. I think Knack has done admirably. I like his moxie.
I think Knack can only be called up one more time
I think that’s why he is not up now. Knack definitely has pitcher better than miller or buehler. They got to keep knack where he is unless there is an emergency. With a 4 game lead and an improved offense they are treading water until Glasnow and Yamamoto can come back.
Knack has not done anything wrong any time he’s pitched (except perhaps for wearing too tight a jersey showing off his spare tire).
I have way more confidence in Knack giving us a quality 5ip than Buehler or Miller.
Agree
“We knew tough decisions were to be made. Kiké, Taylor, Kiermaier, Feduccia/Barnes. That’s the bench. You could add Rojas to that as it appears he will share shortstop duties. Is that a championship bench? Sure. Why not?”
I was going to post on this. What if in the playoffs the team needs a HR to win the game and take your pick Edman or Rojas spot is up. With that bench who can Doc put in out of that bunch to try to get a HR? That’s why I’m blown away Heyward was DFA’d and do we even know if Pages is going to be on the playoff roster. I remember either last year or the year before Barnes of all people was brought in to pinch hit in a crucial situation and that failed. I can imagine that happening again this year with that bunch for a bench.
Kike hit a PH homer in game 7 of the LCS in 2020 to tie the game with the Braves, then Bellinger’s homer won it. But they really have no pop off of the bench. I much prefer a guy who was 4-8 as a pinch hitter this year with 2 homers, Heyward.
How could this situation arise at all and what are the odds of it happening for a PH
id say for the 2d question below 1%
I don’t mean Barnes pinch hitting in a crucial situation, I mean any of Kiermaier, Kike, Taylor, but it also includes Barnes if that’s possible.
Barnes is an exception due to position but again how could the Dodgers ever be in a position where a hitter has to hit a HR?
and what are the chances that situation (which seems impossible) would happen with a pinch hitter?
Has too? Probably never but might be nice to know you have that kind of hitter available.
Because out of all those potential bench guys that are going to be on the roster (minus Pages), Hayward has the lowest OPS in the postseason out of all of them. Don’t ride what he’s done off the bench this year, in a minimal sample at best, especially coming off a clutch 3 run shot the other day. If we need a home run to win a game, then something else went wrong. In that situation, Edman or Rojas know they need to do to pass the torch to the next man up.
Career postseason stats (OPS):
Kike .893 (8 years, 17 series) 29 home runs
Taylor .805 (7 years, 16 series) 9 home runs
Rojas .575 (3 years, 4 series) 1 home run, hence the pinch hit for him?
Barnes .567 (7 years, 14 series) but he’s a catcher which brings more to the table than just batting
Kiermaier .715 (5 years, 9 series) 4 home runs
Edman .585 (4 years, 5 series) 0 home runs 2 home runs
And finally JHey .444 (9 years, 12 series) 2 home runs
To answer your question, I’ll pinch Kike in that spot. Take that back. If Edman was up, I don’t pinch for him. He’s a switch hitter who needs to get on base for Shohei. There apparently isn’t going to be a LH option to choose from, hence hoping who’s up passes the torch. Who you going to pick?
Quick answer none of them.
Bear, great piece on Dusty Baker. My fishing buddy is friends with Marvin Bernard who is a friend of Dusty. When Dusty was in town, my buddy took Dusty and Marvin fishing on the Columbia. He said Dusty is exactly who he seems to be, just a great, unpretentious guy. They caught some fish and my buddy loved Dusty’s baseball stories.
Thanks Phil. I am actually 1 year and 1 day older than Baker. I went to Dodger Stadium in the year in 76 and he was playing left field that game. He was playing so badly at the time, and fans were missing Jimmy Wynn. He got razzed pretty good. Just kept playing the game.
I’d like to see Pages get his at bats in OKC and get called up when rosters expand to 28, not as an outfielder but as a bat off the bench. I would hope he would make the playoff roster and either Kike or CT3 don’t make the playoff roster.
as many have said they are redundant and add nothing to the offense. The fact that CT3 is still on the 40 man is a testament to AF’s Stubbornness.
Id sure like to see Feducca get at least an at bat off the bench while Barnes is on the IL.
My playoff position roster would be:
no matter how you stack it, our pinch hitting potential is not going to strike fear in anybody but the top 7 in the line up can.
I would rather have Outman, at least he adds some power from the left side.
Bear, who would you leave off if you kept Outman’s bat?
I know who it would be for me.
Kike or Pages.
For the playoffs, I would have Pages (.338/.871) as a bat off the bench vs LHP. And neither Kike .210/.600 nor CT3 .176/.542 on the roster.
With Edman, Rojas and Mookie’s versatility, I see no need for weak hitting Kike and CT3 defensively.
That could give Outman’s bat a spot.
Pages has limited experience as a PH. Only 5 Abs. He is 2-5, but three of those at bats ended in strikeouts. I would absolutely not use the guy to pinch hit.
Bear, Pages 3 strikeouts in 5 at bats pinch hitting is a small sample. Lets look at strike out percentage this year for Pages and Kiermaier since you hate strike outs. Pages 24.9% and Kiermaier 29.8%. Lets look at splits against RHP Pages .217/.280/.357/.637 and Kiermaier .218/.249/.362/.610 Pages a little bit better, not much. How about against LHP or should I even go there. So you are choosing defense over offense because according to flawed stats Kiermaier is a defensive wizard. But that’s besides the point because Pages would only play RF because Edman can handle CF and there is a lot of versitility on this team including Betts.
And please don’t mention Kiermaiers stats since coming to the Dodgers because that’s a small sample.
But I’m glad you mentioned Outman for power off the bench, I agree. And if Outman is on the team there’s no need for Kiermaier. What’s wrong with Outman’s defense?
The only person who thinks defensive stats are flawed is you. Most of us here, who have watched the game a lot longer than you have realize how important great defensive players are. Kiermaier has several gold gloves to prove he is elite. Heyward had 5. The only reason I do not care to see Pages on the postseason roster is because with Betts back in the outfield, he is not going to get much playing time. As for his PH experience, he has little, so I prefer a guy with more experience coming off of the bench. Kiermaier is only going to play against RHP. Against lefties, the outfield is going to be Hernandez, Edman and Betts. Kike or Taylor can also play out there. I do not see Pages getting enough at bats to be effective. Betts is elite in RF. I am choosing experience over none. Even Edman has postseason experience. Pages has none. Yes, 5 at bats as a PH is a small sample. But like I said, I prefer experience in the post season. Taylor and Kike have that, and they have come through with big hits in the postseason, almost certainly why they DFAd Heyward and activated Taylor.
I tried to reply back to you but it said innapropriate comments but I didn’t say any innapropriate comments and now I see you deleted your post. There was a lot of cracks in what you said but what you said about prefering veterans instead of Pages on the playoff roster I won’t touch because that’s your opinion.
I did not delete the post; it was in moderation. Yes, it is my opinion that I would rather have players with experience on the playoff roster. It has been my experience to see that rookies rarely perform well in playoff scenarios. Some do, most do not. I simply do not trust Pages in those must win game scenarios. He has done nothing during the season to change that opinion, and with Mookie in RF permanently for the rest of the year and postseason, I see few opportunities for him to play. Since riding the bench and not playing every day is not conducive to good production, I would rather see a player with playoff experience on the roster in his place. No matter how well he might have hit LHP during the season, the LHP he would face in the playoffs, would be much better.
I get that, but Kike and Taylor have very good postseason stats. Kike has hit 13 homers in postseason play, Taylor has 9. Taylor also has decent numbers as a PH. Kike, not so much. Pages has none.
It is a moot point. AF and the Dodgers have shown that they will always go with the veterans.
I tend to agree with you on Pages on the post season roster in place of Chris Taylor but there is no scenario where I would put Outman on a playoff roster. He has looked overmatched all year at the plate. Would much rather put Rushing on the 40 man roster and give him a look in September than consider Outman.
I don’t think the Dodgers will place both Kike and CT on the post season roster. Personally, I want Kike on the post season roster. He seems to rise to the occasion in the post season and has delivered some big at bats. Since he started wearing glasses his performance at the plate has improved significantly.
Since Heyward is gone, I agree about Outman, but I’d still have Pages on the playoff roster. Outman, Pages, Barnes and that leaves 1 spot for the others. I would have Pages start in RF against LHP and move Betts to 2B in that situation.
Following up on my post. Lux needs a platoon partner and I don’t want to see any of these 3 at the bottom of the lineup against LHP and it’s not in any particular order:
Either weak hitting Kike or Taylor
Edman (soon you’ll find out his bat is not like most think it is)
Rojas (see Edman above)
Same goes for Kiermaier, see Edman and Rojas above.
I worded that wrong, I meant to say I don’t want to see a third guy out of any of these 3 at the bottom of the lineup, 2 is enough.
“but the top 7 in the line up can”
Yep. And that, plus pitching of course, is how this will be won, or lost.
Looks like Thayron Liranzo has started off strong since the trade:
https://www.si.com/mlb/tigers/news/recently-acquired-detroit-tigers-prospect-called-unicorn-by-top-publication
Dodger system loaded with catchers. He was expendable. Will he make it to the bigs? Who knows, most do not.
I think Liranzo makes it to MLB. It may be his bat that gets him there, so he may need a backup position to C/DH to get more ABs. He is improving as a catcher and has a plus arm. He needs to stay at C to improve on his game calling and working with pitcher, The Dodgers have so many catchers, that this skill is often lost when they change catchers every night. Sometimes the catcher will play (as catcher) once every three games.
Liranzo is 21 and should be at AA next year at 22. That will be where he will become a top 50 prospect or not so much.
Let’s hope the kid kills it!
I will get into my “Get Off My Lawn” attitude for a minute:
I was watching Skenes and the Pirates yesterday and the announcers reported that the Braves and the Reds, next August, will play in the infield of the Bristol Motor Speedway Classic.
I kind of like the Little League Classics and I loved the game from Rickwood Field as a tribute to the Negros League and Willie Mays.
But in general I think the games in Japan, Korea, London etc. are a waste of time and money. And they are a huge distraction to start the season for 2 teams, cutting spring training short and creating travel issues.
Why would MLB possibly want to construct a Major League baseball field in a NASCAR speedway? WTF. NASCAR fans don’t have access to MLB on TV?
Just play baseball games in baseball stadiums.
I agree. What irks me is that they opened in Korea this year, and then next year, they are opening in Japan. With two Japanese superstars on the team, I see why MLB picked the Dodgers. But making a team do it two years in a row? That is just not right. It would not surprise me to see Yamamoto and Ohtani start those games as the pitcher.
Screw it. Give the Japanese Buehler and Miller instead.
LOL
And Imanaga will start for the Cubs in one of those games. That is 3 out of 4 SP from JPL. Cubs also have Seiya Suzuki starting in the OF.
The Cubs will be the home team for both games in Japan.
I am in the “I do not like the team starting the season internatioanlly”. But I understand why it is being done. The Dodgers are the most followed team internationally, especially in Asia. MLB wants to be an international icon, and the Dodgers help with that image. I am sure the business executives with LAD are more than happy with the back to back international starts. Don’t like it, but understand it.
Well at least they get all of their home games next year. Going to be a different look to that team.
A couple of videos from a couple of RC pitchers to keep an eye on.
Yeah was to last year what Jang is this year in terms of the Dodger’s hot new pitching thing.
There are 6 teams that could possibly add Jason Heyward to their roster. In their waiver selection order, the teams are.
KC
San Diego
NYY
Phillies
Orioles
Braves
clutchpoints.com included San Diego, NYY, Orioles, and Braves
sportskeeda.com included KC, Philadelphia, and Braves
They are all guesses with no direct or indirect writer knowledge. However, any one of these 6 teams could logically add J-Hey.
I’m hoping for KC. They’re the least likely to be facing us in the playoffs and, as the saying goes, “Karma is a bitch”.
I really wouldn’t want to be knocked out of the playoffs by a JHey walkoff.
remember all of those teams would have to open a spot on their rosters also, and as we’ve seen it’s not easy to open up a roster spot at this time of the year.
Im hoping Jhey gets through waivers, and accepts a minor league assignment, then gets brought back up when rosters expand. I know that’s a lot of “ifs” but that’s my hope.
https://x.com/RotoPat/status/1823409953681629630
Muncy not in tonight’s lineup V a left-handed pitcher. Kike is playing 3rd batting 9th. Edman is playing CF and hitting 6th. Lux is in the lineup and Rojas returns to SS. Ohtani has a chance to become the Dodgers first 40-40 man tonight. He needs one homer and one stolen base to reach that. Ohtani-Betts-Freeman-Hernandez-Smith-Edman-Rojas-Lux-Kike. The lineup for tonight’s game with the Rays.
Our guy has ++stuff and no command and their guy has no stuff with + command. Results speak for themselves so far. Time for Miller to think about 25. His Dodger season is over.
It’s the change and curve again. Although seems to be mostly the change that’s doing him in.
I don’t know how hard it is to regain a feel for a pitch, could it just happen?!?!?!
Hey, he recovered nicely to finish up.When he can throw the off speed for strikes, his fastball plays up and he’s legit. Deserves another start.
Wow. That was quite the change is conclusions.
Not pitch until next year to pitch next week!
Whiplash, my neck hurts. 🙃
It’s incremental and small in sample, but Lux is starting to put together some good ABs against southpaws.
Could be a good sign if continues.
Why wasn’t Smith running on contact with that Lux AB?
You would have to ask the third base coach and Will.
I’d love to hear an answer, I just think that with the way the game ended that question won’t be asked.
Thus, I’m wondering if someone here can venture a guess?
Might have been hit too hard, coach told him to stay, all sorts of reasons, but only Will and Ebel know why.
There have been a few plays this season that Ebel has blown by allowing runners to advance to home plate and not seeing the risk of the situation.
Wah-Ooh!! Shohei, 40-40.
Pretty nice way to join the 40-40 club….
And Bobby Miller had his best outing of the season, with 9 Ks and zero walks in 6 innings. Gave up a couple of homers, but definite progress. He had 68 strikes in 96 pitches.
I was hoping Will Smith might end it in the 9th after gunning down De Luca trying to steal. He did wind up scoring the winning run, with next three as gravy. Fun how the “small ball” of Rojas’s bunt and Max’s base on balls set the stage for Shoehei’s blast.
Things are definitely looking up….
How did they set the stage for the HR??!?!??
Again, I think what transpired works against the small ball argument. The bunt did nothing, players would have ended up in the same position with the walk and the bunt just gave away one of three outs.
Then Lux hits a hard grounder, but modern day baseball and its positioning shows how hard it is to string together hits.
The sacrifice did nothing to manufacture the winning runs. Giving away outs is problematic. Nothing more than that at all.
You cannot assume a walk. It is easier to score with 1 out with a man on third than on second. What Rojas did was totally unselfish. Moving the runner closer to home, makes a lot of sense. Smith is no speed demon, so staying at third on the groundout by Lux was prudent. Someone like Edman or Betts might have scored. Muncy had a great at bat to get the walk and Shohei did his thing. In the end, they won, that is all that matters.
You cannot assume an out, unless you are sacrificing. It’s easier to score with ZERO outs and a man on third. What Rojas did was give up an out for minimal gain. Not giving the other team an out, makes a lot of sense. Smith should have run on contact, even if he makes an out then there’s still a runner on 3rd with two outs.
Look, I think it was probably smart for Rojas to sacrifice but to say that the bunt helped the Dodgers win was a total lie and silly.
In the end, they won. That is all that matters.
It also helps to have a good bunter who can place his bunt wherever he wants. Do we have such a bunter?
He gave up 2 HRs early which meant we had to play catch up until Shohei made history. Miller has given up 6 HRs in his last 3 games. Our BP and hitters saved the day. We got lucky. The way AZ and Pads are scoring runs, we need our starters to limit the long ball and Miller is just not doing that.